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Making the Difference

Gifts in Action

Organ Donation

Why Choose Organ Donation

Each year, thousands of people die while waiting for the gift of life—a
new organ. By registering to be an organ donor, you have the potential
to save lives.

Each day, 78 Americans receive an organ donation to save their life. Unfortunately,
100 people die every week while waiting on the transplant list containing
over 100,000 other names. Not only can organs be used, but each deceased
donor can also provide hip joints, corneas, bones, connective tissue,
blood vessels and skin to those in need.

Patients awaiting a transplant are ranked based on medical urgency and
length of time waiting. Each patient is matched to a donor using different
factors, including blood type, to reduce the likelihood of organ rejection
by the body.

Although it is not easy to talk about death or the possibility of becoming
a donor, it is important to talk with your family, friends and doctor
about your wishes regarding organ donation. Registering yourself as an
organ donor will not affect your medical care should you become ill or
injured. All efforts will be made to save a patient's life regardless
of their donation status.

How to Become an Organ Donor

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System has teamed up with Donate Life
California to make signing up to become an organ donor easy. Click
here or on the Donate Life logo to begin a quick and easy sign up process and
make your commitment to save lives.

Your decision offers hope to more than 122,000 people awaiting a life-saving
transplant in the United States. 20% of these patients are right here
in California. You have the power to save up to eight lives through organ
donation and heal another 50 through tissue donation.

Join SVMHS and make a difference! People like you save lives each and every day!